War of Will '50-50' to train straight into the Travers Stakes

Freshened up since running in all three legs of the Triple Crown series, War of Will on Monday published his first timed workout since before the Kentucky Derby, breezing in 49.40 seconds at Keeneland.

“He worked well this morning and we were happy with him,” said trainer Mark Casse.

Casse’s Churchill Downs string shifted from Churchill Downs to Ellis Park, where the Kentucky circuit continued on over the weekend. The Keeneland division overseen by assistant David Carroll will then be on its way to Churchill.

War of Will is scheduled to work once under the Twin Spires before shipping to Saratoga, where two race options await. Casse could enter the colt in the Jim Dandy (G2) on July 27 as a prep for the Aug. 24 Travers Stakes (G1), or train straight into the Travers.

“Right now I would say it’s 50-50,” he said. “We’re going to see when he gets up to Saratoga how he trains. If we’re happy with him, we’ll go to the Jim Dandy. I’ve just got to wait and see how he’s doing — if he’s ready to go or needs more time.

“We can easily run him right in the Travers. I would feel comfortable doing that as well.”

War of Will finished an uncharacteristic ninth of 10 last out in the Belmont Stakes, though Casse blamed a distaste for the track than fatigue from also contending in the Derby and Preakness, which Gary Barber’s charge won.

In all, War of Will is 4-1-1 in 11 starts, looking like a new horse once switched to dirt. He opened this season by winning Fair Grounds’ Lecomte (G3) and Risen Star (G2), then appeared to strain his hind end leaving the gate in the Louisiana Derby (G2).

War of Will returned to the top of the division in the Triple Crown series and looms a threat in a wide-open race for the Eclipse Award for champion 3-year-old male.